Hearing the cries...

Yesterday afternoon we went by motorbike with the receptionist from our hotel to meet a very poor family in a little village nearby. This plan developed spontaneously because the receptionist knows our guide Anh and his reputation for helping people.

The information we have about the family before we arrive is that the parents are both disabled and the father cannot walk or stand. They have 2 children, a daughter who is 20 and described as "having problems."  They also have an 8 year old son who attends school. When he's not in school the parents send him to the local market place to beg for money to buy food so the family can eat. At this point he is their only hope.

When we arrive the boy is waiting by the side of the road. He leads us back the dirt path to his home.  His mother is chopping firewood for cooking and his father is sitting on the floor of the porch. We're invited in. There is no furniture in the small 3 room home, the only food is a little rice and some fish sauce. There is a blanket on the floor.

Quiet Vietnamese chatter occurs between the couple, the boy, Anh and the receptionist. We get back on the motor bikes with the boy and head to a nearby market. Anh purchases eggs, tofu, oil, and a tomato, and juice.

Back on the bikes, we return to the path that leads to the home where we drop the boy off with the bags of groceries. He is strong enough to carry them all! He takes a few steps toward home then stops, turns around, and smiles.

With heavy hearts we pull away.

This morning Tonya suggested that maybe Jim Helt heard the boy's cries, and that's what set this series of events in motion! A portion of Jim's gifts for Vietnam will help sustain the family for the next year or until other arrangements are in place.

Oasis of Love - Duc Son Orphanage

The adventures of fulfilling the wishes of Jim Helt in Vietnam have begun! (Read previous post for the backstory). There are 3 of us traveling together, my dear friend Tonya Mayes, our amazing guide and friend Vu Duc Anh and me. And after just 3 days it's clear that while it might appear that we're the ones bringing gifts, a closer look reveals the timeless truth....that in giving, we recieve! The radical hospitality of the Vietnamese people often leaves our hearts full, our eyes watery, and our voices speachless. It's impossible to share it all, but I hope to post a few short recaps of Jim's gifts and the impact they have...on all of us.

Hue is a city of contrast, steeped in the gentle richness of Buddhaism, and also the site of one of the longest and fiercest battles during the American war. The geographic location of Hue makes it a prime target of typhoons and severe flooding, which happen almost annually. Poverty is prevalent, and as a result, children often bear the toll. 

Yesterday we visited the Duc Son orphanage run by Buddhist nuns. Sister Minh Tu heads the family of 130 children! Their ages range from 2 months to 22 years. It's a home, where the primary house rule is Love! There's a firm, yet gentle structure which helps create an air of peaceful playfulness.

Minh Tu is a kind, fearless and progressive advocate for the children. She recently raised money for an in ground pool so that the children can learn to swim. Many of the children lost homes and families to severe flooding, and she believes knowing how to swim helps them conquer fear and could perhaps save their lives during future flooding. And with a wink she said "it also helps keep them out of trouble!" She also arranged to rent a  nearby farm where the children raise their own organic vegetables.

The children were joyful, and the love palpable. While speaking with a beautiful 22 year old woman who has lived there since she was 2 days old, I said "you have a very big family" she smiled and said "yes, many brothers and many sisters" and then she pointed to Sister Minh Tu and said "Mother!"

We were there to meet the kids and to present food and baby formula which had been purchased on
behalf of Jim. When we arrived the children were seated at long rows of tables ready to enjoy a meal also provided by Jim. But before they ate they put their hands together in prayer position and chanted a prayer in unison, thanking Jim Helt for his gift of love. Minh Tu assured us that Jim's spirit will remain there.

Those of you who knew Jim, know that there's no place Jim would rather be....then in the presence of children!